Mayor Announces Initiative to Boost S.F. Restaurant Industry

Mayor issues Executive Directive to create Inter-Agency Restaurant Consultation Team to streamline process, support local restaurant industry

Mayor Newsom announced a new initiative within the San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) charged with streamlining and simplifying the process of opening a restaurant in San Francisco, as well as developing recommendations to support the restaurant industry in San Francisco overall. The restaurant industry in San Francisco – with more than 3,000 restaurants and more than 46,000 employees – is one of the City’s largest employers, revitalizing neighborhood corridors and stimulating tourism.

“From our neighborhood bistros and taquerias to our finest white tablecloth establishments, restaurants are a cornerstone of San Francisco’s economy and quality of life,” said Mayor Newsom. “San Francisco restaurants have stepped up to support their employees’ health and economic well-being, and the City in turn can provide greater certainty and support to entrepreneurs going through the process of opening a restaurant. By proactively engaging the industry through a more targeted business assistance and relationship-building effort, we can become a more effective problem-solver, partner and advocate.” Read more.

Mayor Welcomes Biggest Fleet Week Celebration in 20 years

Ships from the U.S. Naval Third Fleet and the eco-friendly amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island arrive in San Francisco Bay

Mayor Gavin Newsom today welcomed the arrival of the USS Makin Island, the U.S. Navy’s Hybrid Ship, into San Francisco Bay and announced the lineup for San Francisco Fleet Week 2010 kicking off October 7 – 12, 2010. Fleet Week 2010 will be the largest Fleet Week celebration in more than twenty years based on the number of ships and servicemen and women participating and the extensive lineup of events.

“Fleet Week is a San Francisco tradition where we celebrate our City’s rich naval history and maritime traditions and salute the men and women of our Armed Forces for their devotion and service to the defense of our country,” said Mayor Newsom. “This year, we are looking forward to welcoming the USS Makin Island, representing the next generation of environmentally friendly ships, and the skilled naval aviators of The Blue Angels, with their extraordinary airborne maneuvers.”

Mayor Renominates Ed Lee as City Administrator

Mayor Gavin Newsom today renominated Edwin M. Lee as San Francisco’s City Administrator for another term. Ed Lee first begin working for the City and County of San Francisco in 1989 as the Investigator for the City’s first Whistle Blower Ordinance and has since served as the Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission, Director of City Purchasing, and Director of the Department of Public Works before he was first appointed as City Administrator in 2005.

“From making City departments more efficient to greening our City fleet, Ed Lee has served our City tremendously the last five years,” said Mayor Newsom. “I’m proud to nominate him for another term so we can continue the progress we’ve made in long-term capital planning and government reform.” Read more.

City Launches Kindergarten to College Savings Program for Families

San Francisco is first city in the nation to launch college savings program for all public school kindergartners

Mayor Gavin Newsom today joined San Francisco leaders to announce the launch of Kindergarten to College (K2C), the nation’s first universal children’s savings account program, designed to put all children on the path to college. The City will open a savings account with an initial seed deposit for every kindergartner entering public school.

K2C aims to increase college aspirations for every child, while helping families get a head start on college savings. Philanthropic foundations will provide cash matches and incentives to encourage families to save. Emerging research shows these accounts can be a cost effective investment to boost academic performance and increase savings and financial literacy. Read more.

State of California Approves Funding for Pier 70

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs Assembly Bill 1199 into law to allow the Port of San Francisco to proceed with infrastructure improvements along the waterfront in the Pier 70 area.

Mayor Gavin Newsom today praised the signing of Assembly Bill 1199 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that will provide future funding for parks, infrastructure and rehabilitation of historic resources in the Port of San Francisco’s Pier 70 area. Under the terms of the legislation crafted by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors may approve an infrastructure financing district at Pier 70 to capture projected growth in property tax revenues arising from new development at the site to pay for publicly-oriented site improvements. The Port has developed a Pier 70 Preferred Master Plan that envisions a vibrant, continued ship repair operation, a new National Register Historic District, more than 20 acres of parks and open space and commercial development that will provide 6,000-8,000 jobs. The legislation was supported by a broad, bipartisan coalition of community leaders, labor organizations, business organizations and elected officials. Read more.

Mayor Announces Opening of ChinaSF Beijing Office

New San Francisco Office in Beijing is a welcome addition to continued efforts for greater economic ties between China and the United States

Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the opening of the ChinaSF Beijing office in response to the growing demand for greater business exchanges between the world’s two largest economies – the United States and China.

“As the gateway to the Pacific, ChinaSF builds San Francisco’s history of shared cultural and economic ties with China, and strengthens mutual economic prosperity through enhanced relationships between San Francisco and Chinese businesses,” said Mayor Newsom. “ChinaSF’s business presence in Beijing will truly leverage China’s growing market and innovation for San Francisco’s economy.” Read more.

City Announces $7.9 Million Federal Grant to Improve Broadband Technology Access

San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations will benefit from a broad-reaching stimulus fund grant

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Mayor Newsom today announced award of the $7.9 million Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) competitive grant to increase access to technology. Entitled the San Francisco Community Broadband Opportunity Program (SF CBOP), the project is part of a nation-wide effort to increase sustainable adoption of high-speed Internet applications and encourage subscribership to broadband services. The program will provide extensive training, computers, and broadband connections throughout San Francisco, through partnering organizations, including senior centers, adult day and supportive housing sites, after school programs, youth organizations, digital media partners, and City College of San Francisco.

“San Francisco is at the center of the information and communications revolution that is changing the world, but too many people still don’t have access to broadband technology,” said Mayor Newsom. “I would like to thank Secretary Locke and the NTIA for their vision in awarding this grant, and Speaker Pelosi for her support and leadership.” Read more.